A Music Revolution: Hitsville USA
The 60’s were a significant time to witness changes that would continue to explore possibilities. The Civil Rights movement would welcome the Civil Rights Act to end segregation in public places and ban employment discrimination and guarantee equality in education. The Women’s Liberation movement sought equal rights and more opportunities and the anti-war movement held protests across the country. This turbulent decade would deliver a soundtrack loved beyond our borders. Before Beatlemania, the British invasion, and the rebirth of rock, another sound was finding its way into the heart and soul of the country.
The first black owned record label and the most successful independent record company in US history would launch in Detroit and become known around the world as Motown. Berry Gordy would assemble a music label that would deliver over 180 number one hits during the 60’s with his entrepreneur vision, determination, and talent. Motown was the musical child of gospel, R&B, and pop music which would influence American culture from segregation through integration. Motown’s music would be covered by artists from every genre and be sampled by hip hop artists 50 years later.
Gordy and his Motown production created pop and soul classics that changed America with relatable themes and catchy melodies that would help to break down racial prejudice and move black artists from radio to television and into prestigious nightclubs. Motown was a masterful parallel universe to the rebirth of rock that was emerging. In a time where mainstream music labels were poaching black music to be covered by white artists, Berry Gordy created a sound, a feeling, and a presence that could not be replicated.
During this semester of studying rock history, Motown struck a chord. The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, the Marvelettes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Commodores, and The Miracles are just a small representation of the Motown sound which was polished, sophisticated, dance-able, funky, smooth, cool, and political. Motown playlists can be heard on Apple Music, Spotify, Sirius and anywhere music is streamed. Me, I’ll be listening at 33–⅓ rpm.
Explore more about Motown..
60s Motown: When An Independent Detroit Record Label Ruled The World
Listen to the best of Motown on Apple Music and Spotify.
